5+ Year Member

the answer is E but shouldn't the answer be A? I understand that ClO4- is a weak base because its conjugate acid is a strong acid but A is a strong acid therefore the weakest base isn't it? what am i missing here?

2+ Year Member

the answer is E but shouldn't the answer be A? I understand that ClO4- is a weak base because its conjugate acid is a strong acid but A is a strong acid therefore the weakest base isn't it? what am i missing here?

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I thought the same when I came across this problem. I think it's a mistake.

2+ Year Member

the answer is E but shouldn't the answer be A? I understand that ClO4- is a weak base because its conjugate acid is a strong acid but A is a strong acid therefore the weakest base isn't it? what am i missing here?

10+ Year Member

Perchloric acid is a strong acid. Therefore, its conjugate base would be a very very very weak base; because in theory it never accepts an H+.

I think including both the acid and base form is kinda cheap. Base is a function not a classification. To be clear, OH- (a "base") can accept an "H+" or in some conditions donate a proton forming O-- acting as an acid.

EDIT: now that I think about it... Hclo4 functions as an acid not a base. So might as well go with the conjugate base of the known strong acid. E) CL04-.